View full sizeThe Associated PressNew Jersey Devils star forward Ilya Kovalchuk, of Russia, listens to a question during a news conference in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, announcing his staggering 17-year, $102 million deal to stay with the team.

The National Hockey League is clearly trying to draw a line in the sand, but may not have a legal leg to stand on in its rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102-million contract with the New Jersey Devils, one prominent agent said Wednesday.

J.P. Barry of CAA Sports, whose large roster of clients includes Vancouver Canuck forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Mason Raymond, said he doesn't see how the league can win what appears to be an almost certain showdown with the NHL Players' Association over its rejection of the deal.

"I have already done quite a few contracts that were front-end loaded and there is no language in the CBA addressing the term of contracts," Barry said.